I've been listening to the BP podcasts all this week and have learned a lot, but feel there is so much more before I do my first deal.About me: 44, no debt, full time self employed with large chunks of time off between work trips (part of my reasoning for getting into this).

Wow, if you're also paying employer side of FICA taxes for these folks and the additional overhead of HR/management, I just can't imagine that using unskilled labor is cheaper than skilled labor. 

For example investing for cash flow and taking appreciation as a bonus, but focusing in areas that are not going to deflate  - and have reasonable appreciation currently with growth in population, employment, and other good economic indicators.

I now realize that flipping multiple properties will subject me to self-employment tax on all the profits. 

Or the reverse could be true, you've got a really nice new 3 unit building with stable well employed tenants all paying at market rents.

But those low numbers still have me concerned , I have to contact employers tomorrow  .

This is based on 3 factors - population, employment, and land.

The occupancy, employment, and management risks of 2009-2011 have changed into interest rate and rent growth risks of today.

I do have full time employment.

Cash for keys is a strategy which can be employed with a DIL deal.